Device for maintaining a constant supply of melted material in a reservoir.



A. A. FROEHLICH.

DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF MELTED MATERIAL IN A RESERVOIR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29 I9I2.

1 1 38,743 Patented May 11, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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- 'jfia zzsyi A. A. I 'ROEHLICI'I. DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF MELTED MATERIAL IN A RESERVOIR.

/ APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29: I912.

1,138,743. Patent-ed May 11,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ALBERT A. FBOEHLICH, 0F TOLEDO, OHIO.

. DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF MEL'IEID MATERIAL IN A RESERVOIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Application filed June 29, 1912. Serial No. 706,594.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT A. FROEHLICH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Devices for Maintaining a Constant Supply of Melted Material in a Reservoir, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a device adapted to be used in connection with a reservoir for holding a substance, normally solid, but which is maintained in liquid condition by heat, for the purpose of furnishing to the reservoir fresh supplies, in melted condition, of the substance being used, as the material in the reservoir is depleted, and to maintain the quantity of material within the reservoir substantially uniform.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for this purpose, which will operate efiiciently and will readily. respond to the changes of condition as to the quantity of material within the reservoir so that fresh supplies may be furnished in proper amount and at proper times.

For the purposes of disclosure, I have shown and described the device of my invention as applied to the melting pot of a linotype machine, to furnish fresh supplies of metal to the pot.

Generally speaking, the object of the invention may be defined as consisting in the combination of elements recitedin the accompanying claims.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation with portions in section of a melting pot, together with the device for supplying metal thereto; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the showing in Fig. 1, with the melting pot omitted; and Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the showing in Fig. 2.

A and B represent portions of the frame of a linotype machine, while C represents a melting pot which is mounted in a suitable support D. The particular kind of melting pot and the mounting therefor may be of usual construction and are immaterial, so far as the invention disclosed herein is concerned.

Upon the frame portion A there is mounted a bracket E provided with clamping jaws F which. engage with the frame A and are held in place by a set screw G. From the bracket E there extends a post H, upon which is mounted a platform I. The platform at one portion thereof is provided with an opening which cooperates with the post H and the platform is held with respect to the post H by a suitable clamping device,

such as the wing bolt J. The platform is provided with a suitable opening with which cooperates a cylindrical housing K. At the the overhanging portion of the flanges M.

One or both of the flanges M may be provided with a slot for cooperating with a dog N which is pivoted upon the platform I.

Normally, the dog engages with a slot in one of the flangesiM and holds the housing K against relative movement. Within the housing there is mounted a frame which comprises three or more rods 0 that are joined to a head P. This frame may be supported within the housing K in any suitable manner. The head P is hollow for the purpose of allowing the insertion of an ingot within the frame, which ingot will be guided and held in proper position by engagement with the rods (9. Supported by the platform and within the housing K, is a crucible Q which is provided with a slanting bottom portion and in the side wall has a slot R which extends to the bottom of the crucible.

The ingot which is used in this device is preferably of a cylindrical shape and is made of appreciable length and as before explained, the ingot is placed so as to be guided by the rods Oand the bottom portion rests within the crucible Q substantially in the manner represented indotted lines in Fig. 1. This arrangement relieves of the p necessity of continuously supplying small pieces of type metal, as has heretofore been -This burner is supported by a bracket T which is suitably mounted upon the platform I.

- Upon the post H there is mounted an arm U, the head of which is provided with an opening which cooperates with the post H and is held in place by any suitable securing device, such as a set screwrepresented at V. At its opposite end, the arm U is provided with an enlarged portion W through which is an opening. Within the openin is a short post X which carries a base Upon the base is mounted a housings which is secured upon the base in any suitable manner, suchas by the use of screwcbolts a as suggested in Fig. 3.

Within the housing is a central chamber 6 from which leads a duct 0. Cooperating with this duct is a nipple d which extends from the housing 2 in proper direction 'and position to cooperate with th: burner S. In the upper part of the housing 6 1s a duct e which communicates with the chamber 6 by means of a passageway f. Within the passageway f a cylindrical sleeve 9 1s slldably mounted, which is supported from a screw threaded rod h. The sleeve is secured to the rod 71. by means of a pin i. Above the passageway f, the housing 2 is recessedto receive a spring 7', the opposite end of whlch spring bears against the sleeve 9', and tends to push the same through the passageway f. The threaded rod it extends without the housing 2, and cooperates with a hollow threaded member 7a. The member k is provided with a knurled head by which. it may be turned to move the rod, and in this manner, the position of the sleeve 9 within the opening f may readily be varied, the spring 1' serving to yieldably hold the sleeve 9 in its adjusted position. There is a by-pass connection between the duct e and the chamher, which by-pass connection is represented at Z. The base Y has formed therein a duct m. Coiiperating with the. base and extending over the opening for the duct m is a flexible diaphragm n which is held in.

proper position between'cooperating portions of the base Y and the housing 2.

A tube 0 is mounted at one end in the base Y in a proper manner to cooperate with the duct m. This tube at its opposite end is bent and is mounted" in the head of the receptacle 7), within which is a chamber.

This member 2? extends within the melting pot C- and is adapted to be contacted, at

least in part, by the metalwithin the melting pot. The tube 0 and chambered member p are completely with some fluid material which readily expands and contracts under varying heat conditions afl'ecting it, and in the resent instance I have found mercury to e suitable for the purpose. The portion of the tube which is remote from the base Y may conveniently be supported in a manner as suggested in Fig. 1, wherein the bent wire g is provided at one end with a portion which engages with the tube and at the opposite end has a downwardly extending portion which extends through an opening in a bracket 1' which bracket is supported upon the portion B of time frame for the linotype machine. A set screw 8 is mountedupon the bracket 7 and is adapted to en age with the wire (7 for the purpose of hol 'ng the same in adjusted position. The adjustability of the receptacle p permits its relation with respect to the melting pot to be varied. The variation of the height of the receptacle p above the base of the melting pot Wlll regulate the height of the melted metal within the pot. This regulation effected by the movement of receptacle 2 accomplishes the major portion of the necessary regulation, while the final and complete regulation is effected by the variation of the sleeve 9 as before explained.

In linotype machines, the melting pot is pivoted so that it may move into position to supply metal to the type mold. The move- -ment of the metal necessitates that the receptacle p be supported, for otherwise the movement of the metal would cause relative movement of the receptacle, and consequent inaccuracy of operation. A gas supply pipe t communicates with the duct e.

The operation of the device is as follows: The chambered member p extends within the melting pot and the fluid metal within the pot contacts with at least a'portion of the outer surface of the member 0. The heat of the molten metal within the melting pot will be conducted to the mercury within the chambered member 79, which will cause the mercury to expand and push the flexible diaphragm n away from the base Y. When this heating is sufliciently great, the diaphragm will contactwith the sleeve and close the opening through the sleeve, thus shuttin off the normal supply of gas, which as will e understood, passes from the pipe t through the duct e,sleeve g, chamber 7), and through the nipple (1. However, there will be a small amount of gas pass through the by-pass Z which will supply a sufficient amount of gas to the nipple d to maintain a pilot light, so that ignition may be obtained when gas is supplied in the regular manner.

It will be understood that the device may be regulated to function in response to any condition Within the melting pot which it is desired to maintain by manipulation of the sleeve g. That is to say, the lowering or raising of the sleeve 9 will necessitate a greater or less expansion of the mercury to eifect the engagement between the diaphragm and the sleeve so as to shut off the supply of gas. 7

As the metal within the melting .pot becomes lower, and less of the surface of the chamber member p is contacted by the metal, the mercury is not expanded to such a great extent, and consequently'the diaphragm n is not expanded so much. The lowering oi the diaphragm permits the gas to enter the chamber 6, and be supplied to the nipple d, and in this manner, heat s applied beneath the crucible Q,'which heating results in the melting of a portion of the ingot which is supported within the housing K. As the metal melts, it finds egress from the crucible Q through the slot R and drops into the melting pot C. When the quantity of metal thus supplied to the melting pot has become suflicient so that the metal contacts with a sulficiently large portion of the surface of the chambered member 72, then the expansion of the mercury again causes the elevation of the diaphragm n to shut ofl the supply of gas. This operation of the device is continuous so long as the machine is in operation.

Attention is called to the fact that the platform I, together with the parts carried thereby may readily be swung to such a position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and thereby afl'ord easy access to the melting pot and to the other portions of the device.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the base Y and the post X which extends therefrom may be readily removed from the opening through the portion of the arm U. This permits the parts which are supported upon the base Y to be readily removed, as a unit, so that ready access to the melting pot may be had.

Having thus described my invention, what I I claim is:

1. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form, a device for melting the metal in said crucible, means for controlling the functioning of said heating device, a thermostatic device cooperatin with the metal within said reservoir an adapted to be contacted by the material therein, and operative connections between the thermostatic device and the controlling means for the heating device.

2. The combination with a reservoir adaptedto hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in a solid form, a device for melting the metal in said crucible, means for regulating the fulictioning of said heating device, a closed receptacle adapted to contain .a readily expansible and contractible fluid substance, a portion of said receptacle being adapted to be contacted by the material within the reservoir, one end of said receptacle being closed by a movable member, the said movable member and the controlling means for the heating device being adapted to cooperate to regulate the functioning of the heating device.

3. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted materiaL'of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form, a burner for effecting the melting of the metal in said crucible, means for I supplying a combustible to ,said burner, a

thermostatic device cooperating with the plying a combustible fluid to said burner, a-

movable member controlling the passage of fluid to said burner, a thermostatic device cooperating with the metal within said reservoir and adapted to be contacted by the material therein, said movable member being controlled by said thermostatic device.

5. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form, a burner adapted to eflect the melting of the metal in said crucible, a conduit through which a combustible fluid is suppliedto said burner, a flexible diaphragm controlling the passage of said fluid through said conduit, a thermostatic device including a closed receptacle having. a portion thereof adapted to be contacted by the material within the reservoir, said receptacle being adapted to contain a readily expansible and contractible fluid substance, the said fluid substance within the thermostatic device operating upon' the flexible diaphragm to control the movement thereof.

6. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form, a burner adapted to effect the melting of the metal in said crucible, a conduit for supplying a combustible to said burner, a movable sleeve forming a portion of said conduit, a diaphragm adapted to engage oneend of said sleeve, said diaphragm controlling the passage of combustible fluid through said condilit, a thermostatic device including a closed receptacle adapted to contain a readily expansible and contractible fluid substance, a portion of said receptacle being adapted to be contacted by the material Within the reservoir, the movement of the said flexible diaphragm being controlled by the fluid within the thermostatic device.

7. The combination with a reservoir ada tedto hold melted material, of a cruci le adapted to contain said material in a solid form, a burner for effecting the melting of the metal in said crucible, a conduitfor supplying a combustible fluid to said burner, a movable sleeve forming a portion of said conduit, a flexible diaphragm adapted to engage one end of said sleeve, means for moving said sleeve with respect to said diaphragm, a thermostatic device comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a readily expansible and contractible fluid, a portion of said receptacle being adapted to be con-V tacted by the material within the reservoir, the movement of said diaphragm being effected by the fluid material within the said receptacle.

8. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form, a burner for effecting the melting of the metal in said crucible, means for supplying a combustible fluid to said burner, said means comprising a casing having a chambered portion, a sleeve extending into said chambered portion, means for regulating the position of said sleeve, a diaphragm within said chambered portion adapted to contact the end of the sleeve, a duct formed in the base of said casing, said duct opening beneath the diaphragm, a thermostatic device comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a readily expansible and contractible fluid substance, said receptacle being adapted to be contacted by the material within the reservoir, said receptacle communicating I with the duct formed in the base of the casing, whereby the fluid within the thermostatic receptacle may impinge against the diaphragm.

9. The combination of a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain'said material in solid form, a device for melting the metal in said crucible, means for controlling the functioning of said heating device, a thermostatic device within said reservoir, means for adjusting the height of said thermostatic device within said reservoir, and operative connections between the thermostatic device and the controlling means for the heating device.

10. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form, a gas burner adapted to effect the melting of the metal in said crucible, a conduit through which gas is supplied to said burner, an adjustable sleeve forminga por tion of said conduit, a flexible diaphragm controlling the passage of gas through said conduit and adapted to engage said sleeve, a

thermostatic device including a closed receptacle adapted to be placed within the reservoir, means for varying'the height of said receptacle with respect to the'reservoir, said receptacle being adapted to contain a readily expansible and contractible fluid substance, the fluid substance within the thermostatic device operating upon the flexible diaphragm to control the movement thereof.

11. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form having a slanting bottom portion and provided with an opening in the wall there'- of, said crucible being supported above the reservoir, means for supporting an ingot of solid material in proper relation with respect to said crucible, and means for melting the metal in the crucible.

13. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form, means for supporting said crucible above the reservoir, said supporting means being movable upon a pivot whereby the crucible may be moved to afford access to the reservoir, and means for melting the metal in the crucible.

14. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, a bracket supported adjacent to the reservoir, a platform pivotally mounted upon said bracket, a crucible carried by said platform, a burner supported from said platform beneath the crucible, the said platform and parts carried thereby being'removable to afford access to the reservoir.

15. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold meltedlnaterial, of a bracket supported adjacent to said reservoir, a platform pivoted'upon said bracket, a crucible carried by the platform, a burner carried by the said platform, means for supplying a combustible medium to said burner, said -means being removably mounted upon said bracket.

16. The combination with a reservoir adapted to hold melted material,-of a bracket fluid through the housing, a thermostatic device operatively connected with said means for controlling the fluid, a portion of said thermostatic device being supported Within the reservoir, the housing and thermostatic device being removable as a unit.

17. The combination With a reservoir adapted to hold melted material, of a crucible adapted to contain said material in solid form, means formelting the metal in said crucible, a housing surrounding said crucible, a guiding frame Within said housing, said frame supporting and guiding an ingot of said solid material in proper relation to the crucible.

18. The combination with a rewrvoir adapted to hold melted material, of a platform pivotally mounted above said reservoir, a crucible adapted to contain said materialin solid form, said crucible being suppoited by the platform, a housing surrounding the crucible, means for detachably securing the housing upon the platform, and

means Within said housing for guiding the solid material fed to the crucible.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT A. FBOEHLIOH.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. Mavens, F. L. Basny. 

